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I'm a wet blanket when it comes to gaming conventions and I want that to change
- Thread starter Deleted member 5545
- Start date
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I worded that poorly, by it I mean, reading some posts in here you would think that the entire convention stank cause of the poor hygiene of the attendees. I've never had that experience, so I'm wondering if its a meme I'm unaware of. Sure in a crowd of people you might come across one or two individuals with poor hygiene but that isn't a widespread thing.
I don't know why you should feel obligated to go or enjoy one.
Apart from meeting famous people and the other annoying shit you just mentioned, there really isn't much to do for the average person in a convention. I'd imaging something like SDCC is a waaay different thing altogether, but as someone's who went to one regular con a few years ago, I am not compelled to go to another whatsoever.
You really gotta know and love whatever the hell you intend to do at those things.
Apart from meeting famous people and the other annoying shit you just mentioned, there really isn't much to do for the average person in a convention. I'd imaging something like SDCC is a waaay different thing altogether, but as someone's who went to one regular con a few years ago, I am not compelled to go to another whatsoever.
You really gotta know and love whatever the hell you intend to do at those things.
This is so true. I went to a gamer meet up once and, my God, I finally understood the socially awkward stereotype that perpetuates the medium. Never again.
I'm with you on the BO thing OP. The difference between going to a convention with decent air conditioning and floor to person ratio was a game changer for me. I found myself having far more fun at a con with decent air con that was arguably worse than another I went to where you could practically see the air.
I'm down to one convention a year where MrsBS and I spend the majority of our time in panels. Fun times.
I'm down to one convention a year where MrsBS and I spend the majority of our time in panels. Fun times.
Not a joke. And its not something you would expect. I was in a Walmart for christs sake at 12 am in the morning. Those places have a lot open space and yet it was clearly and immediately identifiable. You have to really neglect yourself for your BO to waft and connect with the people in the area when there's that much open space/air.
Trust me, it WILL change your opinion on that sort of thing immediately.
I've been to a total of three conventions in my life, and the complaints are all there.
Always saw myself as a gamer, but going to these things gave me a nasty wake up call that perhaps I don't need to be THAT obsessed with gaming and just enjoy what I pop into a console and that's that. Example, I like FFXIV and while fanfest IS tempting, watching some life streams made me realize there's not that much going on aside from the reveal of the next expansion and some games and lots of expensive trinkets to bleed your wallet dry.
Always saw myself as a gamer, but going to these things gave me a nasty wake up call that perhaps I don't need to be THAT obsessed with gaming and just enjoy what I pop into a console and that's that. Example, I like FFXIV and while fanfest IS tempting, watching some life streams made me realize there's not that much going on aside from the reveal of the next expansion and some games and lots of expensive trinkets to bleed your wallet dry.
You're not lying, either. I went to "Defcon" (role playing game convention ) back in the late 90's. I guess I was 16 or so. It smelled. Lots of smelly bodies packed into tight spaces. Lots of farts, too. I specifically remember one dude chugging "Mug" Root Beer during a session, and he was just letting 'em rip like there was an endless supply of gas to expel.
Never again.
The thing about conventions is that they can be very different from each other depending on their focus, despite the huge nerd overlap. DragonCon is way different from ACen, which is way different from NY ComicCon, which is way different from Gencon, which are the 4 big ones I've been to (and excluding NY ComicCon I never ran into a B.O. problem, but B.O. in NY isn't limited to conventions).
At Gencon for example there's too much for me to ever do in a 4 day period, but that's got a huge focus on D&D, MtG and other card games, board games ect so there's a huge event roster for people who like to do booster drafts, mini campaigns or buy brand new/limited run/hard to find games and accessories. Someone not into that would be bored flying solo for sure.
Dragon*Con I also loved, but that was because I love to cosplay so I spent almost two full days taking pictures and watching the different contests when I wasn't in costume myself. Best costumes I have ever seen in person in my life! if you are not into that or into going to meet sci/fantasy actors and authors, you're gonna be bored.
ACen is a bit lower key, but has a huge free to play arcade and some nearby friends who I only get to see when I go, ect. If you aren't into that, you're gonna be bored.
It's not surprising you will be bored if you don't enjoy the unique stuff you can do at a convention, especially if you are flying solo. A lot of these conventions are more for industry bigwigs or gaming press to meet in person or get the latest scoop, or for premiere tournaments, the more hardcore fans of *insert franchise here* to meet each other in person after talking online for years, ect ect ect. Plus it's almost never "cheap", even if you live close.
At Gencon for example there's too much for me to ever do in a 4 day period, but that's got a huge focus on D&D, MtG and other card games, board games ect so there's a huge event roster for people who like to do booster drafts, mini campaigns or buy brand new/limited run/hard to find games and accessories. Someone not into that would be bored flying solo for sure.
Dragon*Con I also loved, but that was because I love to cosplay so I spent almost two full days taking pictures and watching the different contests when I wasn't in costume myself. Best costumes I have ever seen in person in my life! if you are not into that or into going to meet sci/fantasy actors and authors, you're gonna be bored.
ACen is a bit lower key, but has a huge free to play arcade and some nearby friends who I only get to see when I go, ect. If you aren't into that, you're gonna be bored.
It's not surprising you will be bored if you don't enjoy the unique stuff you can do at a convention, especially if you are flying solo. A lot of these conventions are more for industry bigwigs or gaming press to meet in person or get the latest scoop, or for premiere tournaments, the more hardcore fans of *insert franchise here* to meet each other in person after talking online for years, ect ect ect. Plus it's almost never "cheap", even if you live close.
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I never knew BO until I was in line at midnight to get my physical copy of GTA IV.
Gamers fucking stink man. I've been to sweaty concerts and festivals all over the world and never smelt anything like a queue of sweaty horrible nerds.
Dude, I love showing at shows, but I hate attending them. I don't like playing games in public, walking through smelly mobs is no fun, and the lines are killer.
Having a booth is awesome. People play your game and give feedback, I get to see all the game industry peeps I wish I saw more, and there are rad parties.
Going as an attendee sounds completely unfun. I'd never go.
Having a booth is awesome. People play your game and give feedback, I get to see all the game industry peeps I wish I saw more, and there are rad parties.
Going as an attendee sounds completely unfun. I'd never go.
I mean, you're not wrong, OP.
Conventions are mostly fucking wack because they're full of people that smell like shit and there is surprisingly little to do.
Conventions are mostly fucking wack because they're full of people that smell like shit and there is surprisingly little to do.
Yeah, I dunno if you're doing anything wrong, OP. I've gone to Fan Expo the past two years, and both times I kinda feel like I've paid 60$ to go into a shopping mall. You have to pay to do almost anything once you've already paid to get inside and on top of that you get the added bonus of either pushing through massive crowds, or waiting in giant line ups. I've never been to the bigger gaming specific conventions, but I can't imagine it's all that different.
All of that being said, there are usually one or two small things that I find/see during the trip that sort of make it worth it. It's mostly just a fun day out with my friends more than anything else.
All of that being said, there are usually one or two small things that I find/see during the trip that sort of make it worth it. It's mostly just a fun day out with my friends more than anything else.
I go to 3 or 4 cons a year. Origins and Gen Con for board games/RPGs, Ohayocon which is an anime con in Columbus, and then some random extra one like a PAX or a local board game con that I might not go to every year.
The biggest reason I love these cons is as a way to get together with a group of friends, and have a nice weekend in another city where we can hang out together, and take part in various activities we all enjoy. You could do that with other vacations too, but going to a con eases a lot of the planning burden and gets everyone to agree on a weekend. So that's helpful. And being in a city that's suddenly taken over by people that are into the same stuff you are can be really fun for just talking to other people.
I think the "main" activity of a lot of these cons, which is usually going around a vendor hall and buying stuff, or waiting in incredibly long lines to demo stuff, is super overrated and not worth it solely for that. But if you actually dig beyond that surface level you can find things that are super fun for your particular thing you're a fan of. For PAX, it's going to panels with interesting people, fun topics, or interesting audience participation stuff (ie game shows and whatnot), checking out tons of indie games and actually getting to talk to the people that made them, and seeing concerts and stuff. The board game cons are tons of opportunities to play new games, schedule times to try out stuff you haven't played before, or play in pick up RPGs. Also, a lot of these cons have a million weird little corners where you can check out stuff that some people are very passionate about like Battletech pods, starship simulators, live dungeons, LARPs, real time political simulations, mega games, laser tag, crafting seminars, and etc etc. It's a cool way to just pick something off a list of events and see this weird corner of nerdom that other people are *super into*.
Also at all of these you can walk around with a soda bottle that's half booze and that makes things a niiiiice time.
Unless you're extremely sensitive I think in the majority of cases the body odor thing is incredibly overstated. Yes, someone smelly might go by, but it's not like it's everyone at the convention, in my experience.
The biggest reason I love these cons is as a way to get together with a group of friends, and have a nice weekend in another city where we can hang out together, and take part in various activities we all enjoy. You could do that with other vacations too, but going to a con eases a lot of the planning burden and gets everyone to agree on a weekend. So that's helpful. And being in a city that's suddenly taken over by people that are into the same stuff you are can be really fun for just talking to other people.
I think the "main" activity of a lot of these cons, which is usually going around a vendor hall and buying stuff, or waiting in incredibly long lines to demo stuff, is super overrated and not worth it solely for that. But if you actually dig beyond that surface level you can find things that are super fun for your particular thing you're a fan of. For PAX, it's going to panels with interesting people, fun topics, or interesting audience participation stuff (ie game shows and whatnot), checking out tons of indie games and actually getting to talk to the people that made them, and seeing concerts and stuff. The board game cons are tons of opportunities to play new games, schedule times to try out stuff you haven't played before, or play in pick up RPGs. Also, a lot of these cons have a million weird little corners where you can check out stuff that some people are very passionate about like Battletech pods, starship simulators, live dungeons, LARPs, real time political simulations, mega games, laser tag, crafting seminars, and etc etc. It's a cool way to just pick something off a list of events and see this weird corner of nerdom that other people are *super into*.
Also at all of these you can walk around with a soda bottle that's half booze and that makes things a niiiiice time.
Unless you're extremely sensitive I think in the majority of cases the body odor thing is incredibly overstated. Yes, someone smelly might go by, but it's not like it's everyone at the convention, in my experience.
this is a really good post.
I like video games. I like some game podcast. I like this message board. the rest of gaming culture and community can be a trash fire and I'd be embarrassed to align w/ it.
don't make your hobbies/media consumption youre life folks.
edit, reading through the thread more. the fact that arguing about the existence of BO is proof that there is a BO problem. ive never heard people complain about that at other types of conventions, sports games, etc.
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Past few years, i've been venturing to EGX (which is basically the UK version of PAX). Gone on my own once, but rest of the time i've gone with some friends. Have done the bigger games onthe 1st day i get there as it's usually quieter, and queues less than 1/2 hour for the likes of an Assassin's Creed, Fifa or any other AAA title. The next day, if i've missed any big named titles i go to them first, otherwise i'm on the indies much of the day with visits to panels or the various showcase stages.
I used to go on weekends, but gave up as they are just too busy to get anything done. Tickets are priced reasonable around £15-£20 a day, but on weekends it is nose to nose. So i went Thursday/Friday and get lots more done, and take lots of pictures. Yes, body odor can be an issue in the latter 1/2 of the day. And some queues are ridiculous at the best of times for a 10-15 minute demo (Battlefront one year was a 3 hour wait).
I'm taking a break this year because i need to.
I used to go on weekends, but gave up as they are just too busy to get anything done. Tickets are priced reasonable around £15-£20 a day, but on weekends it is nose to nose. So i went Thursday/Friday and get lots more done, and take lots of pictures. Yes, body odor can be an issue in the latter 1/2 of the day. And some queues are ridiculous at the best of times for a 10-15 minute demo (Battlefront one year was a 3 hour wait).
I'm taking a break this year because i need to.
I've been to a few cons in my life, and I enjoyed my time there, but...it's not something I really want to spend my day doing. Often, I find my time is better spent doing other things.
Gaming communities are pretty awful in the first place, so it's hard to blame you for feeling that way. I've never enjoyed gaming conventions either.
I've never run into the funk at board game conventions, but it seems like those crowds skew towards older groups of people, couples, and families more than the standard con crowd. I think the worst I have encountered was at PAX East where occasionally you would just enter a stink cloud where everything smells like burning wet garbage mixed with a healthy dose of colon death. People do need to realize that showering isn't optional to the con experience, even if it means spending 5 less minutes on the show floor. The people around you will thank you for rinsing your filth off and properly cleaning your ass.
I took my son to one of the Best Buys that were hosting the Nintendo World Champion events. We stood in line for hours and were surrounded by some of the weirdest people I have ever met. It was a constant cringe fest.
If you want to go to a con, you need to have a purpose behind going and you need to go with friends. Like, there need to be panels you want to see, signings you want to attend, vendors you want to buy from that you otherwise wouldn't, etc. I've never been to a gaming convention but I used to go to an anime con every year and I cant imagine going alone and without a plan. Any good con will have a schedule of events posted long before the actual con date and you can plan your days accordingly.
The body odor thing is inevitable if the con is during summer and there are a lot of people there. No different than a sporting event, a crowded bus/train station, etc. Its what happens when you get a bunch of people together in a hot place.
The body odor thing is inevitable if the con is during summer and there are a lot of people there. No different than a sporting event, a crowded bus/train station, etc. Its what happens when you get a bunch of people together in a hot place.
Why would you want that to change? Gaming/nerd cons in general are awful. I've gone to 2 Comic Cons and they were the worst. Lines for everything, crazy BO, and the most awkward group of people you'll find anywhere.
I once had a mother come up to me with her young daughter to ask me for directions to the bathroom. After I told her, she told me that she was lucky to have found me because I was the only normal looking person in the building.
I once had a mother come up to me with her young daughter to ask me for directions to the bathroom. After I told her, she told me that she was lucky to have found me because I was the only normal looking person in the building.
I've gone to PAX East and West and it was made infinitely more fun by going with friends and doing things outside of the convention.
The body odor defeated me and my closest friends too. We're too old to ignore it anymore. Nothing is possibly worth it.
Try going to the meetups and off-site events. They are much smaller and my experiences at them have been really positive.
Also be sure to go to panels, they are definitely my favorite parts of PAX. I've been the past 3 years and I've never waited in line to play a game, there are plenty of interesting indie /non AAA games that you can enjoy. Plus, having conversations wiru the game develoeprs can be fun and insightful. Maybe just shift you're expectations?
Also be sure to go to panels, they are definitely my favorite parts of PAX. I've been the past 3 years and I've never waited in line to play a game, there are plenty of interesting indie /non AAA games that you can enjoy. Plus, having conversations wiru the game develoeprs can be fun and insightful. Maybe just shift you're expectations?
This is super important advice. My partner and I attend minimum of 4 cons a year, and planning is vital. We make sure to have a list of things we want to do, backup plans in case something is cancelled or too busy, and we are pretty comfortable with the idea that we're not going to be able to do everything we want. We're in our mid-30s, so we're mostly at cons for panels (both hosting and attending!), rather than like... viewing rooms, or whatever.
Con funk is definitely real, but at smaller cons it's not as much of a thing. When you're not literally shoulder to shoulder all day it makes a big difference!
Panels are easily the best part of cons, imo. I've seen some really great, insightful, or entertaining panels over the years. Then again, I have friends who go to cons and never set foot in a panel. So its really what you make of it.